Real Madrid opposes LaLiga Miami match, urges UEFA and FIFA to block plan
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Monday approved the December 20 fixture at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which could become the first LaLiga match held abroad and the first European league fixture staged in the United States.
"Real Madrid wish to express to its members, supporters and football fans in general its firm rejection of the proposal," the club said in a statement, revealing they have already urged FIFA, UEFA and Spain's Higher Sports Council (CSD) to intervene.
The club accused the RFEF of making its decision "without informing or consulting the clubs participating in the competition" and argued that staging the match in Miami "violates the essential principle of territorial reciprocity" in home-and-away league formats.
Real further stated that the move would "alter the competitive balance" and grant "an unfair sporting advantage" to the clubs involved.
The club also warned that approving the proposal could compromise sporting integrity and "set an unacceptable precedent," insisting any change of this nature should require "the express and unanimous agreement of all the clubs participating in the competition."
The plan still requires approval from UEFA, US Soccer, CONCACAF and ultimately FIFA before LaLiga President Javier Tebas can realise his long-held ambition of taking Spanish football to the US --REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Barcelona aim to strengthen defence while keeping attacking flair in Champions League
WHILE Barcelona thrilled fans with 102 La Liga goals last season, coach Hansi Flick admits defensive improvements are needed. The Catalan giants secured a domestic treble with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Raphinha leading their attack. However, Flick's high-pressing tactics often left Barcelona exposed at the back, leading to dramatic but risky matches. Their 7-6 Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan highlighted the defensive frailties in their system. 'For me, it's not always fun, sometimes I really suffer a lot,' Flick admitted after a chaotic 4-3 Clasico win over Real Madrid. 'I'm really happy with what we are doing, but football is a game of mistakes, and we must improve.' Flick vowed before the summer break that defensive adjustments would be a priority this season. Whether Barcelona can maintain their attacking brilliance remains uncertain, especially with key players ageing. Raphinha enjoyed a career-best season, while Robert Lewandowski turns 37 this month, raising questions over consistency. Yamal, now wearing Lionel Messi's iconic number 10, is seen as the club's brightest future star. Financial constraints have limited Barcelona's transfer activity compared to rivals Real Madrid. The club is banking on young talents like Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Pedri to continue developing. Marcus Rashford's loan arrival from Manchester United offers Flick another attacking option to rotate. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia's signing from Espanyol aims to solidify what was a weak area last season. Wojciech Szczesny, who came out of retirement last term, is expected to serve as backup to Garcia. Barcelona's return to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou could provide a psychological boost. The Olympic Stadium lacked the atmosphere of their traditional home during the past two seasons. Their Camp Nou return is now scheduled for mid-September after initial delays. By May 2026, Barcelona should be fully settled before hosting Real Madrid in a potential title decider. Despite being underdogs last season, they now face higher expectations as defending champions. The challenge for Flick is balancing defensive solidity without sacrificing their attacking identity. - AFP
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Liga champions Barca aim to add steel to youthful flair
BARCELONA: While Barcelona thrilled on their way to winning La Liga last season, scoring 102 goals in the process, coach Hansi Flick accepts this season his team need to improve defensively. With teenager Lamine Yamal and Raphinha shining in attack, the Catalan giants proved an irresistible force as they claimed a domestic treble. However the German coach's high-pressing defensive line sometimes left Barcelona high and dry at the back, even as it made for frequently gripping, end-to-end matches. The team's 7-6 Champions League semi-final aggregate defeat by Inter Milan was a prime example of the risks inherent in their set-up. "For me, it's not always fun, sometimes I really suffer a lot," admitted Flick in May after Barca beat rivals Real Madrid 4-3 in a wild Clasico battle to move to the brink of the title. "I'm really happy with what we are doing (in general), and of course, football is a game of making mistakes. Hopefully, we can make things better and make fewer mistakes." The coach made a pledge before the summer break. "I know that we have to improve (defensively) and we will do it next season," vowed Flick. Whether Barca can maintain the same verve in attack is up for debate even before any defensive considerations. Raphinha, 28, had the best season of his career, which will be hard to repeat, while striker Robert Lewandowski turns 37 later in August. Yamal, who has taken former Barca great Lionel Messi's hallowed number 10 shirt, turned 18 in July and is his team's greatest hope in the months and years ahead. While Real Madrid have been able to spend over €172 million (RM849 million) on new arrivals Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono, as well as hiring Xabi Alonso as coach, Barcelona's poor financial state means their activity in the transfer market has been limited. The Catalans believe their youngsters like Yamal, centre-back Pau Cubarsi, 18, and midfielder Pedri, still only 22 despite his experience, will continue to grow and improve. They brought in Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan from Manchester United to try and revive the English attacker's career and reap the benefits of his huge potential, giving Flick more quality to rotate with. Barcelona did make one important permanent signing this summer in Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, improving arguably the weakest area of their team. Wojciech Szczesny filled in admirably after coming out of retirement to replace the injured veteran Marc-Andre ter Stegen last season, but is expected to take a reserve role behind the new arrival from Barca's city rivals. Garcia is in line to start as Barca kick off their campaign at Mallorca on Aug 16. Another hope for the champions is that the return to the Spotify Camp Nou strengthens them. While the Olympic Stadium on the city's Montjuic hill has proven a pleasant stand-in for the past two seasons, it lacks the atmosphere and grandeur of Barcelona's traditional home. The Catalans plan to return there for the fourth league game of the season after the first three are on the road, against Valencia on Sept 13 or 14. However Barca's entry date has been pushed back numerous times, initially planned for November 2024, and there could be further disruption. Regardless, barring disaster Barca will be back there by the time they host Real Madrid in May 2026, with that game potentially decisive in the title race. Given Flick's side started last season as underdogs to Madrid, that they are favourites to retain the title this time around cannot be taken too seriously.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Palace mull legal steps after losing appeal over Europa League demotion
LONDON: Crystal Palace said on Tuesday they are seeking legal advice on possible next steps after the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed the club's appeal against UEFA's decision to demote them from the Europa League to the Conference League. European soccer's governing body made the decision over Palace's multi-club ownership rule breach because at the time of assessment on March 1 the John Textor-founded Eagle Football Group were majority owners of fellow Europa League side Olympique Lyonnais and also held shares in Palace. US businessman Textor's Eagle Football Holdings sold their stake in Palace last month. However, CAS upheld UEFA's ruling on Monday, and dismissed Palace's argument that the club received unfair treatment in comparison to Lyon and Nottingham Forest, with the latter replacing them in the Europa League. "The decision by UEFA and followed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport shows that sporting merit is rendered meaningless," Palace, who had qualified for the Europa League as FA Cup winners, said in a statement. "It appears that certain clubs, organisations and individuals have a unique privilege and power ... while we respect the CAS tribunal members, the process is designed to severely restrict and, in our case, make it almost impossible to receive a fair hearing. "UEFA's decision has wider implications for the governance of the sport. A combination of poorly conceived regulations and their unequal application means our brilliant fans will be deprived of the chance to watch this team compete in the Europa League for the first time in our history." CAS said none of the parties raised any concern about the running of the process when Palace's appeal was heard on Friday. "CAS rules are long-standing and designed to ensure fairness in the sporting world. In line with this practice, all parties on Aug 8, 2025 were given a formal opportunity to raise any concern about the running of the process," said a CAS statement. "No objections were raised to state that the right to a fair hearing was not respected." UEFA was not immediately available to comment. Palace said the European Court of Justice's ruling earlier this month, which allows national courts to conduct in-depth reviews of arbitral awards by CAS to ensure they are compliant with EU law, will ensure greater scrutiny of sport's top court. "Only then will fairness and due process be granted to every team," Palace added. "Although we continue to take legal advice on the next steps, we will compete in the Conference League."
